Another week has begun and it’s time to learn something new, or at least about a new plant that doesn’t like your horse. Today we take a look at the bright & sunny Buttercup.
A Little About Buttercups
Ranunculus repens is the Buttercup, also commonly called Creeping Buttercup. This is a perennial with stout stems, smooth three-part leaves & solitary yellow flowers with five petals.
How Dangerous Is It?
This is another example of a plant warning those who wish to eat it – yellow is often a warning color in nature. It’s unpalatable to horses, but so incredibly common that it’s difficult to keep them away from it. Buttercups contain an oily glycoside in their juices, which basically irritates anything it comes into contact with (careful when picking flowers – it can irritate you too!)
The whole plant is toxic (it’s in the juice) and can be fatal to equines (in very rare cases).
What To Look For
You know your animal the best, so you should know when something is amiss. Buttercup toxicity symptoms can include diarrhea, blisters or ulcers in the mouth, bloody urine, heavy breathing, weak pulse, drooling, reddening of mucous membranes & colic.
Learn More
Be sure to check out the Buttercup page to learn more about the plant and while you are at it why not check out more toxic plants?
*It should be noted that I’m not a veterinarian. This information is written specifically for horses and should be used for reference purposes only. If you think your horse has eaten something toxic call your vet right away.